Is your bathroom is leaving you less than flush with pride? Without question, beautiful bathrooms help sell houses and enhance homeowners’ enjoyment of their living space; an investment for the day when you’ll need to romance potential buyers with a knockout bathroom. Knowing what’s in and what’s out in bathroom design is important for homeowners deciding where to spend their hard-earned dollars. You can easily and inexpensively update your restroom with a fresh, modern look, without sacrificing style, by focusing on 4 key areas: Paint, the mirror, hardware and lighting.
Painting any room is a tried-and-true way to make a big impact with minimal cost and effort. Remember that color trends do change. Stay away from dated color choices, like mauves or pinks, in favor of timeless, like earth tones. Chocolate, aqua, olive and gold, all colors drawn from nature, are hot right now and promise more enduring style.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall - If your home was built in the past decade, you probably have one enormous, unframed mirror, but unframed mirrors are out.
The mirror is the focal point of your bathroom, and frames complete the mirror, giving a bath a finished, updated look. You can remove the entire mirror and buy a new, framed replacement or you can frame your existing mirror.
When choosing a frame style, select a frame that reflects the style you would choose for a piece of artwork for the room.
Easy Hardware - Few accessories shout “last decade” like outdated hardware. Fortunately, updating hardware is a quick, easy and cost-effective. If your hardware is mismatched, get yourself to a home supply store and check out their collections of matching drawer pulls and cabinet handles. Your hardware should also complement your metal fixtures.
If the finish is dated, like brass, replace it with new styles, like brushed nickel, pewter, antique or oil-rubbed bronze. These finishes coordinate well with current lighting and fixtures, bath bars, knobs, pulls, and switch and receptacle covers. These fixes pull a room together with one modern, cohesive look.
Make Light of Things – Lighting fixtures that add beauty and soft lighting with shades or sconces are in. They can run above your (newly framed) mirror, or flank it. Select a style that is right for you and makes a statement in the room.
Strategic and cost-effective changes can go a long way to giving you the new updated bathroom you desire.
-Mike
www.MBCremodeling.com
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tax Credits Continue for Homeowners
The Federal Government has announced that it will be continuing to grant tax credit on energy saving devices this year, as long as the devices are installed and working by December 31, 2010. This extended deadline means that a number of people will be installing better insulation, more efficient heat pumps, new windows, and a host of other improvements this year. Now is the perfect time for you to join in these savings.
First off, you don’t want to wait until the last minute. As the deadline approaches, everyone and their brother is going to be installing all kinds of energy saving devices, so towards the end of the year, you should expect to see these devices get more expensive and see longer waits to have them installed. Besides, going green saves you money, and you’ll be getting the tax credit anyway, so why wait? You can start saving now, and have the same tax credits as people who waited, plus all the money you’ll save on utilities in the meantime.
Of course, many people already knew that you could get tax credit for a more efficient water heater, but did you know that you can have your roof redone? That’s right; certain types of roofing reflect more of the sun’s rays away from your home. Come summer, this will save you a great deal of money on your air conditioning, and you can get a 30% tax credit. You can also replace your windows and doors with the same credit. Upgrades to your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are also given the tax credit.
Here’s the one that blew me away: you can get a tax credit on wood stoves. That’s right; the Federal Government is now willing to give you a tax credit on that fireplace that you’ve always wanted. It will have to meet certain thermal efficiency requirements, of course, but talk about home improvement! The provision also includes pellet stoves, which are more compact than wood stoves and just as cozy in the winter. Of course, the fireplace you install will have to be the real kind – there’s no tax credit on having a natural gas burner with fake logs around it.
There are also tax credits available for people who want to go big, people who are serious about saving the planet and saving money. The installation of a fuel cell generator, wind generator, or solar panel qualifies homeowners for tax credit. If you’ve ever been without electricity because of a winter storm, having an on-site winter or solar system will sound like a very good idea.
2010 is the year to go green.
And remember, Going Green also means SAVING Green!
Until next time,
Mike
First off, you don’t want to wait until the last minute. As the deadline approaches, everyone and their brother is going to be installing all kinds of energy saving devices, so towards the end of the year, you should expect to see these devices get more expensive and see longer waits to have them installed. Besides, going green saves you money, and you’ll be getting the tax credit anyway, so why wait? You can start saving now, and have the same tax credits as people who waited, plus all the money you’ll save on utilities in the meantime.
Of course, many people already knew that you could get tax credit for a more efficient water heater, but did you know that you can have your roof redone? That’s right; certain types of roofing reflect more of the sun’s rays away from your home. Come summer, this will save you a great deal of money on your air conditioning, and you can get a 30% tax credit. You can also replace your windows and doors with the same credit. Upgrades to your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are also given the tax credit.
Here’s the one that blew me away: you can get a tax credit on wood stoves. That’s right; the Federal Government is now willing to give you a tax credit on that fireplace that you’ve always wanted. It will have to meet certain thermal efficiency requirements, of course, but talk about home improvement! The provision also includes pellet stoves, which are more compact than wood stoves and just as cozy in the winter. Of course, the fireplace you install will have to be the real kind – there’s no tax credit on having a natural gas burner with fake logs around it.
There are also tax credits available for people who want to go big, people who are serious about saving the planet and saving money. The installation of a fuel cell generator, wind generator, or solar panel qualifies homeowners for tax credit. If you’ve ever been without electricity because of a winter storm, having an on-site winter or solar system will sound like a very good idea.
2010 is the year to go green.
And remember, Going Green also means SAVING Green!
Until next time,
Mike
Friday, January 15, 2010
2009-10 Cost vs. Value Report Analysis & more
Hello again! This time around I thought I'd share Remodeling Magazine's 2009-10 Cost vs. Value Report. This annual report provides consumers with a very valuable resource for finding out how much return they will see from various home improvement projects. First off, it can help you get realistic cost figures for a large number of the home remodeling projects you may be considering. You are also able to compare this to the resale value the projects will add to your home.
The interactive widget* below was provided directly from Remodeling Magazine. Via the widget or on their site you can "compare national and regional averages for 33 popular remodeling projects; you can also download a PDF with project data for any one of 80 U.S. cities."
Additionally, there are articles about how the Remodeling 2009–10 Cost vs. Value Report was compiled and analysis of this year’s results.
Feel free to leave a comment or email me at Mike@MBCremodeling.com if you have any questions.
-Mike
www.MBCremodeling.com
*For more information on what exactly a widget is, you can go here.
The interactive widget* below was provided directly from Remodeling Magazine. Via the widget or on their site you can "compare national and regional averages for 33 popular remodeling projects; you can also download a PDF with project data for any one of 80 U.S. cities."
Additionally, there are articles about how the Remodeling 2009–10 Cost vs. Value Report was compiled and analysis of this year’s results.
Feel free to leave a comment or email me at Mike@MBCremodeling.com if you have any questions.
-Mike
www.MBCremodeling.com
*For more information on what exactly a widget is, you can go here.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Your home needs attention and it’s time to Spring into action!
Let’s take a look at some additional home improvement projects that are ideal to have done before summer.
Your Driveway — Once the flowers and buds have fallen off of the trees and overnight temperatures stay well above freezing, consider having your asphalt driveway resealed. This job is a small investment that can prevent an early breakdown and adds curb appeal.
Your Lawn — Invest in your lawn early and you’ll enjoy it through the Fall. Professional aeration, fertilizing and reseeding, will make you the envy of the neighborhood. In the long run you’ll also benefit financially because you’re watering will go further and you’ll have fewer problem areas to deal with the rest of the year.
Your Garage — Do you hate clutter? Of course you do! Then again, the garage is the usual place where all of our stuff tends to gather. Have your garage overhauled with rugged cabinets, shelving, and other organizational helpers. You’ll be amazed at how a professional can turn your garage into one of the nicest rooms in your house.
Your Attic — It’s so easy to forget about your attic until there’s a major problem. Have the flooring, walls and roof checked to see if anything was damaged over the winter. This simple preventative investment saves wise homeowners thousands of dollars.
Your Home’s Exterior — Have your gutters cleaned and covered with gutter protection. Have a professional touch up paint under the soffits, around the windows and shutters, and your doorways. If your home has siding, examine for damage and replace panels as needed. Consider repainting the home if it hasn’t been touched up in years; this is another preventative measure that has the fringe benefit of adding curb appeal.
Your Home’s Interior — Have rooms painted throughout the house or consider repainting every room. If it’s not time for a major bathroom renovation; how about a minor one? Have your shower and tile grouted to keep your bathroom watertight. Have new light fixtures and accessories installed. Have your windows and doors examined. Make sure that they are still doing their job before the summer heat arrives. Arrange an inspection of your central air-conditioning system to make sure that it is ready to go when the first heat wave rolls in.
If you’re tired just reading this article, call us now to discuss your needs. We’ve got the know how to get the projects done right. We’ll do all the heavy lifting and you just get ready to enjoy the summer!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Remodeling Ideas for Small Bathrooms
Many homeowners are faced with the problem of having to change the look of a small bathroom. Here are some tips on how to make the most of small bath spaces from bathroom remodeling expert James Chapman:
One of the most popular solutions for small bathroom remodeling is to simply knock off one side. This will allow you to expand in one direction and get more space. The problem though is that this solution is not cheap. Aside from spending a lot to reconstruct a new wall, you would also have to consider paying for extensive changes in plumbing and wiring.
There are options if you do not wish to push back your walls of your small baths. One of them is to simply replace previously large fixtures and features with smaller ones. There are small baths tubs, sinks, small toilets and cabinets that can be installed in place of old ones. You have to make sure though that the largest member of your family can comfortably use these smaller fixtures. Hanging Some Objects are other excellent ideas for small bathrooms design. Large, wooden storage cabinets can take a lot of space. Create more space by knocking down these cabinets instead of the walls. You can opt to install free floating cabinets or metal bar shelves. You can also hang small hampers on hooks on your wall. Aside from cabinets, you can also leave some other bathroom fixtures hanging. A baseless sink and a vanity with a hanging glass ledge are examples.
Small bathroom remodeling will not be complete without a new coat of paint. One technique is to avoid dark colors. Choose lighter ones and pair that with equally light colored tiles and fixtures. The light color will not just be soothing. It can also help create the impression that you really have more space. If you want to paint some designs, choose those that aren't too large. Moreover, you can use artificial or natural light to create the impression of expansiveness. It is always great if you can simply cut out a large top window. If this puts you in danger of being seen from outside, you can use bright lighting instead. Have a dimmer installed so you can create softer light when your mood calls for it.
Small bathroom remodeling can actually be a lot of fun. The real key is to simply change viewer perspective and utilize every available space you have. The key to a successful project is to talk with an experienced professional who can take your ideas, and theirs, and make them a reality.
Hope this helps!
Mike
www.MBCRemodeling.com
One of the most popular solutions for small bathroom remodeling is to simply knock off one side. This will allow you to expand in one direction and get more space. The problem though is that this solution is not cheap. Aside from spending a lot to reconstruct a new wall, you would also have to consider paying for extensive changes in plumbing and wiring.
There are options if you do not wish to push back your walls of your small baths. One of them is to simply replace previously large fixtures and features with smaller ones. There are small baths tubs, sinks, small toilets and cabinets that can be installed in place of old ones. You have to make sure though that the largest member of your family can comfortably use these smaller fixtures. Hanging Some Objects are other excellent ideas for small bathrooms design. Large, wooden storage cabinets can take a lot of space. Create more space by knocking down these cabinets instead of the walls. You can opt to install free floating cabinets or metal bar shelves. You can also hang small hampers on hooks on your wall. Aside from cabinets, you can also leave some other bathroom fixtures hanging. A baseless sink and a vanity with a hanging glass ledge are examples.
Small bathroom remodeling will not be complete without a new coat of paint. One technique is to avoid dark colors. Choose lighter ones and pair that with equally light colored tiles and fixtures. The light color will not just be soothing. It can also help create the impression that you really have more space. If you want to paint some designs, choose those that aren't too large. Moreover, you can use artificial or natural light to create the impression of expansiveness. It is always great if you can simply cut out a large top window. If this puts you in danger of being seen from outside, you can use bright lighting instead. Have a dimmer installed so you can create softer light when your mood calls for it.
Small bathroom remodeling can actually be a lot of fun. The real key is to simply change viewer perspective and utilize every available space you have. The key to a successful project is to talk with an experienced professional who can take your ideas, and theirs, and make them a reality.
Hope this helps!
Mike
www.MBCRemodeling.com
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